Traveling Husband

I've been thinking about writing a post about this for awhile now. I've gone back and forth if I wanted to write how I feel or just let it go, but it has still been on my mind and I wanted to write how I feel to remember this stage of our life 10+ years down the road.

Andrew started working as a healthcare consultant at the Utah Valley hospital which was very convenient since we lived so close. But then he had an amazing opportunity to work with other clients on the east coast in July of 2013, where he would have to travel weekly M-F since we had just bought a house and I was still teaching.  Since then, he has had so much more exposure and recognition from several VP's (even a spot bonus from one of them!) of the company that he might not have gotten if he had stayed working in Utah.

Has it been easy with him traveling? Absolutely not! It is so hard.  I miss him so much during the week and often find myself complaining, but I remember the importance of our eternal marriage and we've been strengthened because of it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Couldn't be more true. All throughout the week we look forward to spending the weekends together. And let me tell you, our weekends together are way too short, but regardless, very well spent. We treasure the time we get to spend and don't take it for granted.

One thing that has really surprised me is how critical people are. Honestly, I don't care if YOU could never do what we are doing. That is what I hear all the time from people. "I could never do that, I need my husband WAY too much." Really? Like I don't need my husband either? I do, but I learned to toughen up and face this challenge. My parents taught me to be independent and also to be okay during hard times. Another thing people have said to me is that it doesn't seem like we are making family a priority and this isn't a good way to make a marriage last. Thanks for the tip people. I think we'll be just fine! :) Andrew and I have talked about how we want to make sacrifices early on in our marriage to make the best life possible for our FAMILY. People really have no idea either and should just mind their own business before judging others. On a little more personal note, when Andrew and I were talking through and making the decision if we should have him travel or not, my patriarchal blessing was the first thing that came to my mind. It was a really comforting and spiritual experience for us, especially me, at the time to see something happen that I knew was supposed to happen in my life. It talks a lot about my husband but in particular it says, "You will be separated from each other for short periods of time. Continue to communicate, strengthen and support each other during these times. Pray with all the sincerity of your hearts for protection and guidance for each other." And that's what we do. And that's why I get so offended when people tell me that this isn't a way to make a marriage last. I agree it isn't ideal, and I also agree that perhaps weak marriages might fail because of it. However, this was in our plan and we are grateful for this challenge. It still gives me chills because it is just further confirmation to me that I not only wanted to marry Andrew, but he was the man I was supposed to marry. 

I'm grateful for my friends and family who have helped and supported us during this time and lifted us up. I can't even count the times I call my mom and sister throughout the week! It also makes me happy when I hear people say that their spouse had to travel early in their marriage too and how it changed them for the better. I appreciate Andrew so much and am so grateful for how hard he works. He tells me all the time that he does this for me. He tries to work so hard to provide me with a life I have always wanted. What a guy, he is the absolute best.

Absolutely love this! 

These love quotes make me feel all sappy but they describe our life so perfectly right now!!

Happens every week. Andrew says he can't wait to get off the plane to come out to the car and see me & every Sunday night I get emotional all over again when he has to leave!!! We're so lucky to have each other. 

Christmas Break 2013

Since Andrew started traveling and we don't get to be together as often as we'd like obviously, Christmas break was the best thing ever! Getting to be with Andrew for 2 whole weeks was the best thing I could ask for. Andrew's flight from Florida got in around 11:00 PM in SLC, so we thought it made the most sense for me and Bry to just pick him up and then drive through the night to Colorado. Unfortunately, we drove through a blizzard most of the trip which was horrible! But we made it to Colorado safely and were happy to be with my family for a week! We had such a great time (besides the fact I was sick the whole first week). And of course, everyone loved Bryant :) 

finally decided to lay & sleep on his pillow in the car instead of on the middle console! 

soaking in as many snuggles as I could!

Bry looooooves babies! 

Teig tried to put the Santa hat on Bryant but I think it was a little small!

No holiday break without a goatee or fu manchu at our house! 

My parent's beautiful tree!

Such a merry Christmas!

Bry lovin his new toys.

Mom opening up her new iPad Air!

Holding our Coach purses I bought them... The ones from the Price is Right were getting too old!!

obsessed with this cutie!

 The only downside to the week was that I was so sick! It started with food poisoning, then after getting over that I had a nasty cough and cold, which then turned in to a DOUBLE ear infection. I cringe just thinking about it. I had never had an ear infection before and then to have two was just miserable. Neither of them would pop so it was so annoying hearing myself echo when I talked. I woke up one morning at like 4:00 feeling like someone was taking a drill to my ear. Finally that morning I went to the doctor and sure enough he said I had some angry ears. Since I kept trying to pop my ears on my own by blowing so hard, I ruptured one and it had started bleeding. Needless to say, it wasn't fun AT ALL. He put me on antibiotics thankfully because we were going to be flying to Florida 3 days later!

in pain at the doctor's office :(

We also tried to test our luck at Bingo with my little brother, but no such luck.

Then we were off to Florida! Andrew has been traveling to Florida every week for his client there, so the company paid for me to join him! We had a rough morning getting to the airport. We left Colorado Springs at 4:20 A.M. for a 6:25 flight in Denver. Unfortunately it snowed the night before, and we got stuck behind 3 plow trucks going so slow. We got to the airport at 6:00 and had to park in the parking garage to save time. Andrew tried to go check his bag while I ran through security. They wouldn't let him check his bag for that flight, but put him on a 7:00 flight through New York instead, so we didn't get to be on the same flight. I barely made it to the plane after my name was paged over the intercom but was surprised with a first class upgrade when I got there!!! I didn't think I was going to get it since Andrew wasn't on my flight but they gave me his seat :) 

 Now I know what I've been missing all these years! Going back to economy seating on the way home really sucked. 

We had a great time celebrating the New Year at the beach in Fort Lauderdale! The 75 degree weather sure beat the cold weather I have been facing in Utah & Colorado!

love my man!

Andrew didn't have to work New Year's Day, so we got some brunch at the hotel and then headed across the street to the beach.

startin off the new year the right way!

 We had so much fun playing in the ocean and trying to ride the waves! I couldn't believe how warm the water was. Felt so good. I'd love to be back there right about now…

my babe right up next to me keeping me company on the drive home!

 It was such a great vacation and I'm sad it had to end. Going back to work was rough for me this week. I couldn't go to bed at a normal time after staying up so late over break which made waking up so difficult….hope next week is better for me! 

Merry Christmas from me and my 2 handsome men!